Mark Aston talks Mark Mexico into Sheffield Eagles switch

Matt Young

Talking paid off for boss Mark Aston as Sheffield Eagles added Newcastle Thunder prop Mark Mexico to their ranks for next season on a two-year deal.

The Eagles swooped for the Papua New Guinea international after director of rugby Aston tracked his debut season in England, where he made 17 appearances in all competitions for the Championship One side last season.

“I had a number of conversations with him,” Aston revealed.

“He went home to have a think and he has decided to come back with his family, and they have committed to living in Sheffield, which is great news.”

Mexico, aged 26, had been widely reported as having signed for the Eagles at the back end of last season, only for Aston to confirm that those reports were premature and that he had only expressed an interest in the former PNG Hunters operator.

After going back to his native Papua New Guinea at the end of the last season to mull over his options, Mexico decided to accept the Eagles offer.

“We are getting a very powerful and dynamic player,” Aston said.

“As a junior, he was a half-back, but he has developed and ended up moving into the front row, so he can obviously play.”